“One White Crow” Explores Life And Death At Edgemar Center For The Arts

Posted Apr. 27, 2013, 8:57 am

Mitch James / Mirror Contributor

The Edgemar Center for the Arts, in the intimate Second
Stage auditorium, this weekend opens the world premiere engagement of a new
play “One White Crow.”

The production will open this Saturday through May 26,
then June 14- June 23, with shows on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm, and Sundays
at 5 pm.

Tess O’Neill (played by Jane Hajduk) is an investigative
journalist assigned to profile renowned television personality and psychic
medium Judith Knight (played by Michelle Danner). Judith claims to make contact
with people who have died, connecting them with people in the audience.

The assignment is no accident. Tess is the daughter of a
brilliant late science writer, who would have never believed in Judith’s
abilities.

To Tess’ alarm, Judith claims that Tess’ dead father has
visited her and that the profile is his idea. Tess’ every instinct suggests to
her that Judith is a charlatan. But what if she’s not?

Tess enlists the aid of Alex Rimbaud (played by Rob
Estes), a professional skeptic, and Tess’ father’s former protégé. He is
convinced that Judith is a con artist and plans to publish a magazine piece
exposing her as a fraud. While Tess consults Alex, their long-repressed passion
for each other is revived.

Things begin to happen that make Tess start to question
her long-held beliefs. Tess, Alex, and Judith are headed for a showdown as Tess
is determined to learn the truth once
and for all. Is Judith a fraud? Or is Tess’ father actually trying to make
contact with her from the beyond? What will this bode for Tess’ and Alex’s
future together?

The title of the play, “One White Crow,” is explained
during the course of the narrative. It’s a reference to a quote by William
James (1842-1910), the father of modern psychology. He was also famous as a
skeptic and a debunker of practitioners of the paranormal.

Admission is $34.99. A limited number of seats will be
available for each performance at $25. The Edgemar Center for the Arts is
located at 2437 Main Street, Santa Monica.